Stop Just Posting Photos! Why Geotagged Videos on Google Business Profile Drive More Engagement

If your Google Business Profile content strategy is "post a few photos and hope for the best," you're not alone.

But in 2025, photos are table stakes. Almost every competitor posts photos. That means photos alone rarely create separation.

Short videos often do - especially when they're:

filmed on-location,
edited for clarity,
published consistently,
and verified to include GPS metadata (or fixed when it's missing).

This article explains why video can outperform photos for attention and engagement, and gives you a safe workflow to publish geotagged videos that support Local SEO without crossing ethical lines.

Useful links:

Check a video for GPS/EXIF data: Video Metadata Checker
Inject real GPS coordinates into a video: GetGeoVideo pricing

Why videos can outperform photos on GBP

1) Video holds attention longer

Videos create a "micro-story" in a few seconds. Even a 12-second clip can communicate more than 10 photos:

the real team,
the real location,
the real work,
the real service experience.

That clarity builds trust faster.

2) Video proves the business is active

Fresh content signals that the business is operating right now - especially for service businesses where customers worry about reliability.

3) Video is harder to copy

Competitors can copy your photo angle. They can even copy your captions.

But they can't easily copy:

your storefront,
your team,
your on-location work.

That's an advantage you can publish repeatedly.

Where geotagging fits (and why it's not about "tricking Google")

Geotagging means embedding latitude/longitude inside the final video file's metadata. It's not a location sticker. It's not a caption.

Done correctly, geotagging is simply restoring location information that is often removed during export.

Important: geotagging should be used to reinforce a truthful signal:

The video was created at the real location, or
The content legitimately represents work performed at that location.

A quick example: what "better engagement" looks like in practice

Here's a realistic scenario (not a guarantee, just a common pattern):

Week 0: a business posts photos occasionally, with little consistency.
Week 1-4: they start posting one short, captioned, on-location video weekly.
Result: customers spend more time engaging with the listing content, and the team sees more profile actions (calls, direction requests, website clicks).

The takeaway isn't "video magically ranks you." The takeaway is that clear, helpful, locally-grounded content tends to earn more attention than generic media - and that attention supports your overall GBP performance.

Privacy and compliance (don't skip this)

Location data is sensitive. Follow these rules:

Don't geotag to a customer's private address without clear permission.
If you film at a job site, avoid capturing identifiable details (house numbers, personal items, faces) unless consent is explicit.
For service businesses, geotagging to your office / storefront is usually the safest default.

This keeps your workflow ethical and reduces risk.

"3x more traffic" - how to talk about outcomes responsibly

You'll see bold claims online like "geotagged videos triple your traffic."

Sometimes teams do see large jumps in engagement - especially if they were inactive before. But responsible marketing says:

results vary by category and competition,
consistency matters more than one post,
a single change rarely explains a performance jump.

So here's the honest promise:

If you publish consistent on-location videos and stop letting export workflows strip metadata, you'll produce stronger, clearer local signals than most competitors.

That's the whole game.

The "photo vs video" content strategy (simple and effective)

If you're busy, don't overcomplicate it. Use this weekly structure:

Photos (2-3 per week): finished work, team moments, storefront, events
Videos (1 per week): one helpful tip or one on-location proof clip

The video is the anchor content. Photos fill the gaps.

A safe workflow for geotagged GBP videos

Step 1: Film something that clearly matches the location

Good examples:

A 15-second storefront walkthrough
A "before/after" clip filmed on-site
A short team introduction filmed inside the office
A service demo next to the branded vehicle at the job site

Step 2: Edit and export your final file

Add:

captions,
a 1-line hook,
subtle branding.

Export MP4 or MOV.

Step 3: Check for GPS metadata (most exports fail here)

Use:

Video Metadata Checker

If the report shows "No GPS Data Found", that's common after editing.

Step 4: Inject real coordinates (if missing)

If your workflow stripped GPS, inject the real coordinates of the place where the video was captured or legitimately represents.

Use:

GetGeoVideo pricing

Step 5: Re-check after injection

Run the final file through the checker again:

Video Metadata Checker

Step 6: Post to GBP with a simple caption

Use a caption that includes:

service keyword,
city,
and one clear CTA.

Example:

"Quick HVAC tip from our team in Austin: if your AC is short-cycling, check your filter first. Need help today? Call us for same-day service."

The 60-second production checklist

If your team needs something simple, use this checklist before you publish:

Does the first 2 seconds show a clear hook?
Is the video under 30 seconds?
Are captions readable on mobile?
Is there at least one real location cue (sign, interior, branded vehicle)?
Did you verify GPS metadata in the final export? Video Metadata Checker
If missing, did you inject GPS and re-check? GetGeoVideo pricing

What kind of videos work best for Local SEO?

Aim for clips that align with high-intent services:

Emergency services (plumbing, towing, locksmith)
High-value services (implants, roofing, remodeling)
Trust-based services (legal, medical, finance)

Video ideas that are easy to produce:

"3 signs you need X"
"What to do before we arrive"
"Behind the scenes: our process"
"Meet the team" (filmed at the location)
"Before/after" (fast and credible)

Common mistakes (that waste your time)

Mistake 1: Generic stock-like videos

A generic slideshow doesn't create location credibility.

Fix: include a real location cue: signage, interior, team, branded vehicle, job site.

Mistake 2: Posting with no cadence

One strong video is good. A system is better.

Fix: schedule one video per week per location.

Mistake 3: Skipping the verification step

If you don't verify GPS metadata, you're guessing. Most exporters remove it.

Fix: always check: Video Metadata Checker

Quick "publish-ready" template you can reuse

Copy/paste this and fill in brackets:

[Service] tip from our team in [City]: [one helpful line].
Need help with [service]? [CTA: call / book / directions].

Then attach your verified geotagged video.

Final takeaway

Stop relying on photos alone. In 2025, consistent on-location videos are one of the clearest ways to show activity, trust, and local relevance.

Just make sure your final export retains location metadata - or restore it when it gets stripped.

Start here:

Check a video: Video Metadata Checker
Fix missing GPS: GetGeoVideo pricing